The West Orange Art Council hosted a special event on Thursday, April 24, 2025, for the start of the “Garden State Art Weekend”. The Garden State Art Weekend is a statewide celebration of art in New Jersey. This was the kickoff party for “Reimagining Pain Through Art”. The opening reception occurred at the West Orange Art Center in West Orange, NJ.
This was an event celebrating art created by Artists overcoming the chronic pain of rare diseases. This event was curated by Ms. Cheryl Lloyd, Executive Director, of the “Pathways To Trust” and Ms. Zakiyyah Williams of “Cre8tive Healing Network”. The Pathways To Trust is a non-profit organization building trust in healthcare for rare disease patients facing high hurdles to care. Thanks to all of our sponsors:
- West Orange Art Council
- Pfizer Rare Disease
- Elevated by the Cannaboss Lady
- Alpha Fit Club Livingston
- Garubo Salon
- Techdesigno
Pathways To Trust is proud to announce “Re-Imagining Pain Through Art”, an exhibit running at the West Orange Arts Center from April 24 through May 18, 2025. The exhibit features more than 50 works of art — paintings, sculpture, collage, poetry — created by individuals with painful rare diseases who use their creativity to help manage their pain.
This exhibit was brought to West Orange, NJ by the Arts Council Chair, Patricia Mitrano, who saw it in Maplewood, NJ last September. Ms. Mitrano was moved by how the artists tapped into the connection between art and the science of healing. Cheryl Lloyd, Executive Director of Pathways To Trust, stated, “The energy at Thursday night’s Opening Reception was electric as more than 100 patrons visited the exhibit and met many of the artists who created these powerful works of art, testaments to their resilience and triumph in the face of pain. It is our privilege to take part, along with the West Orange Arts Council, and Zeal Cre8tive Studios, in bringing their artistry to the public.”
The West Orange Arts Council Chair, Patricia Mitrano, was invited by Pathways To Trust Executive Director Cheryl Lloyd to speak at the opening event reception. Ms. Mitrano, is the Volunteer Chair of the West Orange Arts Council and Director of PR & Marketing at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health.
“Whether we’re making art or simply taking it in, the experience can help process pain, or support resilience, and connection”, Patricia said. As the Director of PR & Marketing at Newark Beth Israel Medical Center, Patricia has coordinated an Employee Art Exhibit for the last past ten (10) years. She shared how her experience changed during COVID. She said, “I found that during the pandemic more of my colleagues were reaching out to tell me they started making art, painting, creating collages, playing music, writing poems, and even making sculptures. These activities appeared to help relieve the stress and these same employees agreed to participate in the employee art show. They were thankful to have the arts to take their minds to a different place even for a brief moment.”
Patricia also said, “the power of art can be strong therapeutic medium and a form of resilience amidst adversity. Many have come to realize the profound impact art can have on healing and well-being. Integrating art into healthcare offers a powerful way to enhance both physical and mental well-being.”
Carol Jenkins and Lois Condon, our gallery gurus, deserve a special thank you for their hard work preparing the opening of this show. Liana Torrice, Jody, and Barbara, our gift shop guides, elevate our events with exhibit-inspired gifts made by our own West Orange Art Council Members and local artists.
As part of the opening reception, Patricia Mitrano said, “For years, my work at Newark Beth Medical Center and at the Arts Council were separate. That changed when I became credentialed as an arts in health professional through University of Florida’s Arts in Medicine Program. Now I truly appreciate how making or experiencing art impacts our minds & bodies. That’s why this collaboration with Cheryl and Maybelle from Pathways To Trust and Zakiyya from Cre8tive Healing Network resonated so deeply with me. The traveling exhibit, Reimagining Pain Through Art, is more than a show — it’s a powerful example of how the arts support healing arts and well-being. Ms. Patricia acknowledged Cheryl Lloyd, Maybelle Lincoln and thanked them both of them for letting us be a part of this incredible journey. She said “We’re proud to host this exhibit and honored to partner with Pathways To Trust.”
This exhibit will be on view at the West Orange Arts Center. The West Orange Arts Center is located at 551 Valley Road, West Orange, NJ. The “Reimagining Pain Through Art” exhibit runs from April 24 – May 18, 2025. Gallery hours are Saturdays from 2-4pm.
Contact the Arts Council by emailing here: